May 9, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Derek Rayment
Public + Media Relations Manager
531-MCC-2876, office
402-960-0697, cell
darayment@mccneb.edu
mccneb.edu
MCC Foundation names local chef Tim Nicholson the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award winner
OMAHA, Neb. — The Metropolitan Community College Foundation has named Tim Nicholson the winner of the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award. Nicholson was presented the award at the 9th annual MCC Foundation Scholars Reception. The award is given annually to a graduate whose achievement, service and commitment to MCC and the community is exemplary.
Nicholson is a 2009 graduate of the MCC Culinary Arts and Management program. He is currently the executive chef for the Boiler Room, a restaurant he began working at as a sous chef. Nicholson has been named a semi-finalist for a James Beard Award three times. His menus utilize local produce, cheeses and meats. Nearly all of his preparations are created from scratch.
Nicholson is the fifth recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award. He joins Hubert Charles Ahovissi (African Culture Connection), Jon Queen (Berkshire Hathaway), Marian Holden (Designer’s Touch) and Cory Johnson (AIT Worldwide Logistics).
About Tim Nicholson
Tim Nicholson began working in his first kitchen frying fish. He worked his way up through the ranks, working at hotels and steakhouses. After graduating from Metropolitan Community College, Nicholson was hired by the Boiler Room, where he became a sous chef. Nicholson worked side-by-side with Boiler Room founding chef Paul Kulik, molding the restaurant into what it is today. He was promoted to Chef de Cuisine in 2013 and is currently the executive chef after receiving a third promotion in 2017. Nicholson has been named a semi-finalist for a James Beard Award three times, twice in the Rising Star category and once for Best Chef: Midwest. Nicholson is involved in the community and has participated with various organizations to benefit children. He continues to give back to his alma mater, and in January 2019 he was awarded the Sage Medallion, an honor given to a culinary or hospitality MCC graduate.
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Metropolitan Community College, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, is a comprehensive, public community college that offers affordable, quality education to all residents of Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy and Washington counties. Founded in 1974, MCC has the largest enrollment out of six community colleges in Nebraska and is the second largest post-secondary institution in the state. MCC serves more than 40,000 unique credit and noncredit students.